L/G Ficlet for Lady Korana

[tarotgal]

Title: Overcoming Reservations
Author: tarotgal
Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Rating: PG if that
Pairing: Legolas/Gimli
Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien and I have no relation to New Line either. I'm not being paid for this fluff, either.
Summary: Legolas is used to sneezing like an elf while Gimli is used to an unrestrained Legolas.
Notes: Written for Lady Korana because I feel badly she had trouble with the plot bunny submission dealy.

Overcoming Reservations

Legolas sat in front of the fire, legs crossed beneath him, hands folded in his lap, eyes closed. Gimli did not wish to disturb his elf, who looked so very peaceful, but neither could he stand there with his arms full forever watching and not doing anything more. So he resigned himself to interfering and draped their thickest, down-filled blanket around Legolas’ shoulders.

Startled out of his meditation by the touch, Legolas looked up at his dwarf, who bore a handkerchief in one hand and a steaming hot mug in the other. In truth, Legolas would have preferred to still be meditating, but he could not deny the dwarf’s good intentions. "Gimli," he said with a sigh. "I told you I did not need looking after. Were I miserable and dying with discomfort you know I would call you to my side. But this is a simple head cold. I have had many over the years and no doubt I shall have many more. I do not, however, require your constant attention to cope with it."

Gimli took in every word of Legolas’ explanation, remembering all the other tasks that needed to be done around the house. Nonetheless, he sat himself down beside Legolas and cheerfully offered, "Tea?"

With a shake of his head, Legolas refused. "As I said, I do not require..." He stopped speaking prematurely, his breath leaving him. His nose twitched in a ticklish sort of way, and he raised his hand to his nose to deal with it. "ihhhhh... ih-hihhhh..." He scrubbed a long finger beneath his nose. "ehhhh!" He froze, as though contemplating what would happen next. It seemed for a moment that he would be fine and could resume his sentence. But then his mouth turned down slightly and his handsome blue eyes closed. He lowered his hand and leaned back a little as his breaths grew fuller. "IHhhh... EHHhhhh... EHHH--" His whole body, face included, tensed and his head bobbed forward but a quiet, nasal squeak was all that could be heard. He let his breath out shakily, but it seemed he was in store for more. "IHHH--" Another squeak. And another. And another. He raised his hand again and rubbed a finger at his nose as his eyes fluttered open. "Please excuse me," he apologized, sounding as though he were out of breath.

Gimli looked less than pleased and dismissed the apology at once. "You should not need to apologize every time you sneeze. I do not expect it and I do not need it. You are sick and sneezy and if you cannot sneeze in front of me without regret there is clearly something wrong in our relationship."

Legolas nearly blushed and looked down to avoid Gimli’s eyes. "I apologize for apologizing. At a very young age I was taught always to excuse myself. It would not do to have a young princeling sneezing his head off in the middle of a ceremony and interrupting it, after all." Legolas gave a light sniffle, which was even louder than the squeaked sneezes had been.

"And were you also taught to restrain your sneezes so?" Gimli asked out of concern. For an elf who always seemed so in tune and at ease with everything around him, those sneezes had sounded as far from comfortable and natural as anything could have sounded.

Nodding, "All elves learn to sneeze that way, Gimli. I might not sound like a loud, stuffy horn like you when I sneeze, but they are sneezes nonetheless. Elves are reserved when it comes to displaying emotions. We keep our thoughts to ourselves. And so, too, do we our sneezes."

Gimli was not convinced. "That may very well be, but you share your emotions and your thoughts with me freely. Why, then, can you not do the same for your sneezes?"

Legolas sighed again. "If it means so much to you, then I shall attempt to sneeze unrestrainedly and neglect apologies." As though on cue, his nose twitched again. "But I warn you... ihhhh... it may not be a... a-ahhhhh... a pretty siihhhhhh... oh..." Unable to finish, Legolas closed his eyes as his breath caught. "hehh... HEH-TSChhoooh!" He sneezed loudly, wetly, forcefully. Caught in the swaying then snapping motions of his body, Legolas’ hair had been tossed forward. Nothing about the way he moved had been tense or tight; instead, Legolas rode the sneeze gracefully from start to finish, moving with it without a fight. And when it was over, there were no more sneezes right behind, which gave him much relief.

Gimli nodded in approval and handed over the handkerchief he’d brought when Legolas reached for it. The large handkerchief overtook Legolas’ hand and engulfed the lower half of his countenance as he snuffled and blew his runny nose into it. Then he sighed and looked timidly down at the dwarf. "I told you it would not be pretty."

"Oh the contrary," Gimli said, his voice soft and low. He reached up and stroked Legolas’ head. "You are never so beautiful to me as when you act naturally and truthfully."

Legolas met Gimli’s adoring gaze, and could not help melting. He tightened the blanket around his shoulders, drawing the sides to his chest. Then he leaned to the side and lay down with his head in Gimli’s lap. He rubbed his cheek against Gimli’s thigh. "Then perhaps I would care for a little attention from you."

Gimli smiled as he stroked Legolas’ head again, touching the soft, slick blond hair. "Tea?" he offered again. Legolas shook his head, so Gimli leaned forward, over Legolas, and set it down as close to the fire as he could reach to keep it from getting cold.

"Only need..." Legolas said breathlessly, "Need to sn... sneh..." Legolas shook his head. He wouldn’t be able to manage more than a few sips of tea at a time, anyway. "ehhh... ihhhhhh..." He closed his eyes. "ihhhh... ihhh-HIH-TSChuh!" He grimaced. "I am not sure I like this natural approach..." he whispered, his eyes still closed. Gimli bent over and kissed Legolas, then rubbed his arm through the blanket all the way down to his hand clutching the handkerchief. Then, with his arm around Legolas, he hugged comfortingly. Legolas opened his eyes, smiling slightly. "Mmmm. But I believe I can give it more of a chance."

"I wish you would," said Gimli, smiling and snuggling his elf.

Legolas nodded, his breathing beyond his control again. "ihhh... hihhhhh... ehhh-Heh-HEHHH-KSChoooh!" With Gimli’s hand to help guide his, he rubbed at his nose. Then the side of his face was covered with kisses. The dwarf’s beard against his smooth skin was scratchy and tickly in a familiar, soothing way. And each of the many kisses felt likewise. "You are very convincing," Legolas said, smiling. "Do keep it up."


*hugs*

Comments

[ladykorana.livejournal.com]

*blushes* You didn't have to go to all the trouble to write this for me just because I couldn't submit a plot bunny, tg. *feels guilty for whining now* You are such a sweetie! Thank you soooo much!

Fic-specific comments: It's a good thing that plot bunnies don't force me to write the way they seem to latch on to you, because this little fic had me imagining a dozen different scenes from Legolas's childhood/adolescence where he had the occasion to be taught, or learned from watching other elves, to stifle his sneezes like a proper little elfling. Oooh, the possibilities...particularly where it comes to Thranduil, or perhaps Haldir. Yummy! Other bunnies this fic caused to run around in my head involve Legolas falling ill while out on patrol as a new warrior, or trying to hide an illness from his father. I could go on and on...

I loved the opening paragraph! I can most definitely picture elves meditating when ill or upset. Ideally, I believe elves would sing and/or hang out in trees to attain peace, but I imagine sitting out in the chilly night air and trying to sing to the stars while dealing with cold symptoms isn't the first thing on Legolas's to-do list at the moment. *G* And your Gimli is simply the sweetest, most romantic creature on the whole of Middle-earth, hands down. How I love that dwarf...

In terms of the stifled sneezes themselves, I couldn't help but smile at how cute it was to read the descriptions of these little squeaks coming from the elf warrior...just adorable! Stifles aren't usually my thing, but in the right context (particulary prefaced by those delicious build-ups) I find them appealing. I definitely agree with Gimli that an unrestrained, natural Legolas is breathtakingly beautiful, sick or healthy. That line reminded me of the fic you wrote for me for the holidays where everyone just stares, open-mouthed, at the beautiful sight of the elf sneezing...how I wish I could see it in real life! (I know I haven't written my complete feedback for that fic yet, but I just wanted you to know that I found your description for that section simply magnificent!)

I could write more, but I'm afraid it would just dissolve into redundant gushing and babbling, so I'll just end here with a heartfelt 'Thank you!' again for being such a wonderful, thoughtful person. I truly appreciate it, tg. *HUGS*

[tarotgal]

*blushes* You didn't have to go to all the trouble to write this for me just because I couldn't submit a plot bunny, tg.
Well, consider it a very belated birthday present, then ;-)

*feels guilty for whining now* You are such a sweetie! Thank you soooo much!
You're so welcome! And don't feel guilty in the least. Some elf & dwarf snuggling gave me a delightful break from a few very long and angst-filled non-sneezefics.

It's a good thing that plot bunnies don't force me to write the way they seem to latch on to you, because this little fic had me imagining a dozen different scenes
Actually, this idea was born out of a Haldir & Legolas bunny that struck me. I figured elf/dwarf snuggles were more appropriate for an "I'm sorry my webform is messing up" fic. So I extracted this scenario from a "Young Legolas watches Haldir sneezing" bunny. Which is why they're called bunnies... one wasn't even BORN and it spawned more. They just keep going and going and going...
Anyway, yes, I COMPLETELY agree with you on how many interesting bunnies might come out of the idea of elves sneezing as subtly and emotionlessly as possible. I adore reading Thranduil fics but I've never had the courage to really write one, yet (aside from unfinished fics which will eventually involve him but aren't that far along yet). But I love your ideas here! *fights them off with a bunch of carrots*

I loved the opening paragraph! I can most definitely picture elves meditating when ill or upset.
Oh, HOW I love you! You've NO idea how many bunnies struck me while writing this. But the third version of this was entitled 'Snow Elf' and had Legolas seeking comfort from his cold (and the snow) by climbing up into a tree and meditating. But then I ran right into the problem of having a sick elfsicle on my hands and having to write Gimli finding him and bringing him inside to warm by the fire... which is what led to Legolas not wanting to be comforted and bothered with in that way and dismissing Gimli's blanket, tea, etc. So I ended up just skipping the whole beginning to keep poor Legolas from freezing to death. Although it might be interesting now to go back and add that anyway... any thoughts?

And your Gimli is simply the sweetest, most romantic creature on the whole of Middle-earth, hands down. How I love that dwarf...
Not too snuggly, then? I worry that I might get carried away with the romantic, tender side sometimes. I mean, not that he wasn't stubborn and getting his way here... but Gimli's got a lot more to him and I worry I get too caught up in the snuggling to remember that.

In terms of the stifled sneezes themselves, I couldn't help but smile at how cute it was to read the descriptions of these little squeaks coming from the elf warrior...just adorable!
I liked that, too. The irony of them... especially given the way I usually write his sneezes :-)

Stifles aren't usually my thing, but in the right context (particulary prefaced by those delicious build-ups) I find them appealing.
I'm the same way. Usually stifled sneezes do nothing for me... because as much as I LOVE build-up's, I do also really like releases... but I thought I might have some fun writing them into elf culture :-)

I definitely agree with Gimli that an unrestrained, natural Legolas is breathtakingly beautiful, sick or healthy. That line reminded me of the fic you wrote for me for the holidays where everyone just stares, open-mouthed, at the beautiful sight of the elf sneezing...how I wish I could see it in real life!
And by "reminded me of" do you really mean "TG, you've written so much that you're starting to repeat yourself-cut it out, girl!"? LOL
But I am glad you liked the visual and... yes... I agree with you completely about wanting to see Legolas like that. So beautiful. I'm so living vicariously through Gimli there :-)
Oh, and as for FB- no worries. I'm SOOOO behind in it myself. I more than understand and then some. I still appreciate all the lovely comments you gave me for it back then.

And you're more than welcome! Glad I could partially make up for the plot bunny submission frustration by filling your head with yummy images and more incidents for you to imagine!

[(Anonymous)]

So so excellent, the image of the elf by the fire, lovely. Just lovely. I'd love to see the whole elf/snow beginning. Wanna try it out in ur eljay, and see how it goes?

I'd love to read it!

~A

[ladykorana.livejournal.com]

Well, consider it a very belated birthday present, then ;-)
Thanks very much, again. Definitely the most thoughtful thing anyone has given me in a long while!

So I extracted this scenario from a "Young Legolas watches Haldir sneezing" bunny.
The image created just by imagining this scene is so unbelievably yummy I can't tell you...and I can already come up with a sequal in Lothlorien during FOTR, when Legolas isn't quite so young anymore.*G* Jeez, the bunnies won't leave me alone either!

I adore reading Thranduil fics but I've never had the courage to really write one, yet (aside from unfinished fics which will eventually involve him but aren't that far along yet).
The more I read of Thranduil, the more I admire him (and find him really, really sexy!). He is a rather intimidating elf to capture, and he gets a lot of bad rap for the whole dwarf incident in 'The Hobbit', for which he was completely justified and actually more charitable than he needed to be during the whole book, IMHO. Given my fondness for his famous son ('fondness' is putting it very, very mildly *G*), I think it's ironic that the one fic I did attempt was much more about Thranduil than Legolas.

But the third version of this was entitled 'Snow Elf' and had Legolas seeking comfort from his cold (and the snow) by climbing up into a tree and meditating.
Third version? Goodness! Dare I ask what the first and 2nd versions were?

But then I ran right into the problem of having a sick elfsicle on my hands and having to write Gimli finding him and bringing him inside to warm by the fire...
Reading this line makes me go all melty inside *G*

which is what led to Legolas not wanting to be comforted and bothered with in that way and dismissing Gimli's blanket, tea, etc. So I ended up just skipping the whole beginning to keep poor Legolas from freezing to death. Although it might be interesting now to go back and add that anyway... any thoughts?
Oooh, please write this, I beg you! Legolas dismissing the extra attention seems so very in character to me. Plus, I admit that I would take slightly sadistic pleasure in watching my favorite elf shivering... ;)

Not too snuggly, then? I worry that I might get carried away with the romantic, tender side sometimes. I mean, not that he wasn't stubborn and getting his way here... but Gimli's got a lot more to him and I worry I get too caught up in the snuggling to remember that.
Maybe occasionally he's too snuggly, but he really is a softie at heart, there's no denying that. If this was a non-slash fic, then it would definitely be too much. Your Gimli in 'Refuge from the Cold' and 'Cherishing' is very much in character, IMHO, but these later fics are much futher along in his relationship with Legolas and I like it that their interactions reflect their inseparability, as well as the fact that they're alone and don't have to put up any sort of front or false bravado. Plus, someone's gotta provide the 'comfort' part of the equation! And let's face it, in your stories, the poor sick elf really needs it, whether he admits it or not!

And by "reminded me of" do you really mean "TG, you've written so much that you're starting to repeat yourself-cut it out, girl!"? LOL
Most definately not!! They were just both incredibly evocative scenes that just so happen to encompass both the untamed wildness and mysterious allure of elves as well as the beauty of an uncontrollable, unrestrained sneeze....and don't you stop writing about either! I think I can speak for most of your readers when I say that such things are *always* a pleasure to read. And thank you again!

[rainbowbluebird.livejournal.com]

So many lovely images and concepts in one place...you don't do anything by halves do you?

I love it!

Sorry about the shortness of things...I'm on my way out the door

Wonderful tg; thanks for sharing!

BVB